2015 MLS Season, Week 1: Quick Thoughts

2015 MLS Season, Week 1: Quick Thoughts

2015 MLS Season, Week 1: Quick Thoughts

The first week of the 2015 regular season is in the books. All 20 clubs were in action over the weekend and we finally got to see what soccer would be like again in the state of Florida.

I’m going to attempt to do something a little different this season with a weekend recap to start the new week. In the past, I would write a longer form version of what we learned from the previous weekend but given how I don’t get to see every game by the time I write this on Mondays, I’ll stick to a quick hits version of the weekend recap.

1. Dempsey and Seattle dominate New England

After a weekend that saw very few goals scored, leave it to Seattle to remind us who the best team in the league is at the moment. There wasn’t a moment on Sunday night that I thought the Sounders wouldn’t come away with three points at home against the Revolution, which are still arguably the Eastern Conference’s best team. Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins continue to prove that smart spending on the DP front can work out very nicely.

2. Orlando you look good

Okay, I don’t mean that Orlando City SC looks good on the field, but rather the fans and the city look good hosting a MLS team here. Having MLS back in Florida was always going to be met with some cautious eyes but Orlando quickly proved on Sunday that it is worth it. The Citrus Bowl was backed to the brim with 62,000+ on Sunday afternoon to see the debuts of Kaka against David Villa and NYCFC.

Both expansion teams proved to me that it will be a long, long year for each side too. I still think one or even both of them could make the playoffs in year one but each side has plenty to work on here in the early stages of the season.

3. Lots of tight games

Just looking at the scoreboard from the weekend, plenty of 1-0 and 0-0 games prove to me that the CBA talks from last week were a rather large distraction for most clubs. Teams played rather tight while some just looked completely content with earning a draw on the opening weekend (I’m looking at you San Jose, Colorado, Philadelphia and Columbus).

4. Toronto might just be good after all

I keep having to say, it was one game. But the fact that Toronto went on the road to a Canadian rival in the opening week and looked rather strong gives me hope for the Reds in 2015. The defense remained composed for most of the game while the attack looked good with Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore. Speaking of Giovinco, boy does he have a good touch on the ball. I do think it is important for USMNT fans to note how Altidore looked comfortable again on the field, that is going to be a story line to watch this year.

5. Mix actually fixes his hair before scoring NYCFC’s first goal

Yep.

6. The new TV window is a Godsend.

One thing I kept reminding myself about this weekend was the new TV time slots. Having a game on Friday night was a lovely way to kickoff the weekend, even if it was a late West coast game. But more importantly, the new Sunday schedule for the league is so enjoyable to have. I know it won’t always be three games but having at least that double header to close out the weekend is going to be huge for the league.